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WHAT IS BREAST CANCER?

Breasts are made of milk-making glands, small tubes that carry the milk, and fatty tissue that gives them their shape. Normally, the cells in these parts grow, do their job, and are replaced in an orderly way.

Breast cancer happens when some of these cells stop following the rules. They start growing out of control and clump together, often forming a lump. If nothing is done, these cells can spread from the breast to other parts of the body.

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NUMBERS THAT TELL THE STORY

KENYAN NUMBERS
  • 7,000new cases are recorded in Kenya each year
  • 3,000women a year lose their lives
  • 35–50years old are more commonly affected in Kenya
  • 7 IN 10cases in Kenya are found late, at an advanced stage, when treatment is harder and chances are lower
🌍GLOBAL NUMBERS
  • 1 IN 20women worldwide will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime
  • 2.3Mnew cases of breast cancer were recorded globally in 2022
  • 670,000deaths were attributed to breast cancer worldwide in 2022
  • 49–59is the median age of diagnosis

TYPICAL SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

  • A lump or thickening in the breast or in the armpit
  • A change in size or shape of one breast
  • Skin changes: dimpling or puckering, or skin that looks like the peel of an orange
  • Nipple changes: a nipple that suddenly turns inward, or a rash or scaly skin around it
  • Discharge from the nipple, especially if it is bloody and you are not breastfeeding
  • Swelling in all or part of the breast, even without an obvious lump
  • Pain that doesn't go away (though many breast cancers cause no pain at all, which is why you can't rely on pain as a warning)
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THE STAGES OF BREAST CANCER

0STAGE 0

The earliest form. Abnormal cells are present but have stayed exactly where they started and have not spread. Very treatable.

1STAGE 1

A small cancer that is still contained within the breast.

2STAGE 2

The cancer is larger, and/or has reached a few lymph nodes (small glands under the arm).

3STAGE 3

Locally advanced. It has spread to more lymph nodes or to the skin or muscle near the breast, but not to distant organs.

4STAGE 4

Also called metastatic. The cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the bones, liver or lungs. It can still be treated and managed, but the focus shifts to controlling it and keeping quality of life good.

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WHAT RAISES THE RISK?

  • Being a woman, and getting older
  • A family history. A mother, sister or daughter who has had breast or ovarian cancer
  • Certain inherited genes (like BRCA1 and BRCA2)
  • Starting periods very young or reaching menopause late
  • Having your first child later in life, or not having children
  • Not breastfeeding
  • Being overweight, especially after menopause
  • Drinking alcohol
  • Little physical activity
  • Long-term use of some hormone therapies

Most of these you can influence: staying active, keeping a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, and breastfeeding where possible all help lower the risk.

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SIGNS TO LOOK OUT FOR

Every road sign has a second meaning. Tap a sign to find out what it means for your breasts.

A word from the doctor
EARLY BREAST CANCER IS CURABLE. GET TESTED AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR AND CARRY OUT SELF-SCREENING REGULARLY.
Dr. Gladwell Kiarie, President, The Kenya Society of Haematology and Oncology (KESHO)

PARTNERS

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This campaign is made possible by partners who believe early awareness saves lives.

  • TVS
  • Kenya Society of Haematology & Oncology (KESHO)
  • Second Chances Foundation